Written by “Muffler” Mike Kostiuk
Lax Philly – A Division of Edge of Philly Sports Network
The Calgary Roughnecks visited Dickies Arena in Fort Worth on Sunday afternoon to play the Panther City Lacrosse Club in the second game of a Week 12 doubleheader. Missing several key players due to various injuries, Calgary lost a tight game (and precious ground towards a playoff spot) against Vancouver on Friday night.
Coming into their second game of the weekend, they would have to win without the services of another key player: team captain Curtis Dickson. In a theme that has applied to every team in the league at some point this season, the “next men up” helped the Roughnecks overcome a slow start to win 13-12. Panther City drops to 1-8, and 0-4 at home.
Opening Roar
Much to the delight of the ever growing fanbase, Panther City lit the lamp three times in the first two and a half minutes. Newly signed forward Cam Milligan (3g, 2a) beat Calgary goalie Christian Del Bianco just 42 seconds in. Phil Caputo (2g, 3a) followed up at 1:34, and Jeremy Thompson (2g) scored his first goal in a PCLC uniform at 2:07.
But just when it looked like the Panthers might run away with the game, Calgary responded with six unanswered goals. Zach Currier (3:01) and Kyle Waters (3:34) struck first, then Tyler Pace (3g, 5a) made it 4-3 Roughnecks with goals at 9:00 (power play) and 11:13. Haiden Dickson (1g, 1a; 13:39) and Jesse King (1g, 6a; 0:26 Second Quarter) extended the lead to 6-3.
Track Meet
The hectic tempo continued through the second quarter as PCLC went on a five-goal run of their own. Three straight power play markers from Patrick Dodds (1g, 5a; 2:49), Liam Byrnes (3:03), and another newly signed forward in Dean Fairall (1g, 2a; 7:00) tied the game at 6. Thompson (9:58) then added his second, and Will Malcom (1g, 5a) got into the mix at 11:53.
With the last possession of the first half, Panther City looked to restore the three-goal lead they had earlier in the game, pulling netminder Nick Damude for an extra attacker. Roughnecks defenseman Tyler Burton had other ideas. In what could be the play of the game, Burton intercepted a crossing feed on the set play, and fired a shot from about 150 feet away. The ball went into the empty PCLC net with less than a second remaining in the half to cut the deficit to 8-7.
Still Running
Calgary continued to keep pace into the second half, with Dan Taylor (1g) tying the game at 1:50, and Zach Herreweyers (2g) making it 9-8 with a power play goal at 3:44. Milligan’s second (5:28) tied the game again before Tanner Cook (1g, 3a; 8:57) and Caputo’s second (10:42; power play) ended the third quarter at 10 10.
Pace scored his hat trick goal 28 seconds into the final stanza. Nathan Grenon (1g, 1a; 1:14) responded to tie the game for the fifth time at 11-11. The Roughnecks would take the lead for good when Harrison Matsuoka scored his first career goal on a breakaway at 2:56. Herreweyers’ second goal about a minute later gave Calgary a two-goal cushion. Milligan’s hat trick goal (7:42) on a power play closed the gap to 13 12, but an untimely delay of game penalty penalty on Caputo near the 9:00 mark halted Panther City’s momentum. A last-ditch attempt to send the game to overtime with Damude once again pulled for an extra attacker failed to produce a good shot on net before the final buzzer sounded.
3 Stars of the Game
- 1st Star: Tyler Pace
- 2nd Star: Zach Currier (1g, 21 Loose Balls led all players)
- 3rd Star: Cam Milligan
Other Stats of Note
- Power Play: CGY 3 of 6; PCLC 5 of 6
- Liam Byrnes (PCLC): 11 Loose Balls, 2 Caused Turnovers
- Tyler Burton (CGY): 16 of 27 on faceoffs
- Del Bianco (CGY), Damude (PCLC): 38 saves each
The win, coupled with Saskatchewan’s loss to Colorado, moves Calgary into 4th place in the West Division at 3-5, two games behind Vancouver for a secure playoff spot, and one game behind Albany and Georgia for the 8th place “Wild Card” spot.
Gary Groob has been involved with Lacrosse for the majority of his life, whether playing, coaching, or covering the sport for the media.
An avid fan, with a real drive about helping to “grow the game”, Gary became part of podcasts about the game in 2010. Through the podcasts, Mr. Groob was given an opportunity to write about lacrosse, and the rest as they say, is history.
Through many miles (flying and driving) Gary has made inroads with the National Lacrosse League, Major Series Lacrosse League, the Ontario Lacrosse Association, as well as the Arena Lacrosse League, covering the leagues, their teams, and players, working for, and in concert with all of them.
In the year 2020, Mr. Groob was made the media person for the Arena Lacrosse League, voted onto the board of directors of the Brampton Excelsiors Lacrosse Club, as well as being made administrator of the Lacrosse page “Global Lacrosse” with a membership of 9000 members in over 90 Countries. Gary was also made an administrator of Lacrosse History Past Present and Future in 2022.
Mr. Groob co-hosts a weekly Lacrosse show on Spanglish Sports World, and ZingoTV channel 250, as well as writes a weekly lacrosse column for La Portada Canada News (both in print, and online).
Gary also hosts a Lacrosse talk show and podcast for The Edge of Philly Sports Network, seen live Sunday nights at 9pm (ET), and archived on the Edge of Philly YouTube page, as well as Spotify.
Mr. Groob’s other sports interests include Hockey, Football, Boxing, Wrestling, and Baseball, competing competitively in Boxing and Wrestling for many years.
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